The year 2022 has been characterized by so much news and high drama in politics, sports, music and entertainment as well as business and tech. Hence, it is that time of the year when CN compiles its top ten Persons of the Year. The choice was based on those who made a huge impact that made the news this year.Read more about Top 10
Peter Obi
BBCMr Peter Obi tops the Persons of the Year list. He is recorded as the most searched Nigerian on Google and Twitter’s most trending African in 2022, Mr Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State (2006-2014), is presently the presidential candidate of the Labour Party for the 2023 presidential election coming up in February. Since his declaration to run for the office of the President last year, Peter Obi has been in the news as the most exciting of the presidential candidates. He has also been touted as having changed the political landscape of Nigeria on many fronts by presenting the Third Force away from the two dominant parties, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Having a huge fan base among Nigerian youths who dub themselves Obidients, a term coined from his name, Peter Obi is set to cause a revolutionary change and a political shift within the Nigerian political system if he defeats the two biggest parties of the country.
Kizz Daniel
Daily Post NG2022 was a splendid year for Kizz Daniel whose epic music ‘Buga’ hit the waves as the most listened to on all music platforms including Apple and Spotify in Nigeria and one of the most listened to in the world between May and August. Released on May 4, 2022, the chart-topping single became a hit with dance challenges on Instagram and TikTok with prominent people including the President of Liberia, George Weah dancing to it. Similarly, his ‘Cough’ (Odo) became another epic hit that produced dance challenges that flooded Instagram and TikTok, marking him as one of Nigeria’s most prolific singers. His musical feat earned him a performing spot at the 2022 World Cup tournament in Qatar.
Asake
9Ja DailyAsake, another Nigerian hitmaker took the industry by storm. Signed under Olamide’s YBNL record label, Asake often uses uptempo Afro and Amapiano-styled production. There are elements of Fújì in his songs as well. In 2022, he released “Omo Ope” (featuring Olamide), “Sungba”, and “Sungba Remix” (featuring Burna Boy), “Palazzo” (DJ Spinall featuring Asake), “Peace Be Unto You”, “Terminator”, “Joha”, and “Loaded” (Tiwa Savage featuring Asake), all directed by TG Omori, which all went on to top the chart on Boomplay, Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music and so on. Asake’s fast-rising career has been described as magical by fans and observers. In fact, he was one of the most searched on Google.Sign up for the Connect Nigeria daily newsletter
Tobi Amusan
Vanguard NewsTobi Amusan became a household name when she won the 100m hurdles, setting a new world record of 12.30s at the Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham in August. Amusan successfully defended her title, winning her second consecutive gold medal. Amusan is a track and field athlete who specializes in the 100 metres hurdles and also competes as a sprinter. Her outing at Birmingham placed Nigeria on the world map for good. She is the current World, Commonwealth and African champion in the 100 m hurdles, as well as the meet record holder in those three competitions. Amusan became the first ever Nigerian world champion and world record holder in an athletics event when she won the 2022 World Championships 100 m hurdles gold medal, setting the current world record of 12.12 seconds in the semifinal, followed up by a 12.06 s in the final. She won back-to-back Commonwealth and African titles in 2018 and 2022 in the 100 m hurdles and is also a two-time African Games champion in the event. For her feat, President Muhammadu Buhari honoured her with the Order of the Niger (OON).
Ibijoke Faborode
This Day LiveThrough ElectHER, Faborode is disrupting the women’s political movement in Nigeria. Her organization works to bridge inequality gaps in political representation and has engaged more than 2,000 women in politics across Africa. With the #Agender35 campaign, her organisation is directly backing 35 women running for local or federal office in the 2023 general election, providing human and financial resources.She is also behind the first African feminist mobile app for election data analysis. Faborode presently serves in the Leadership Council of The Democracy and Culture Foundation, which identifies new ways to improve democratic processes.For her humanitarian efforts, she was listed as BBC’s 2022 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world, joining global music phenomenon, Billie Eilish and actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas.
Ngozi Okonjo Iweala
Al JazeeraA woman who needs no introduction, World Trade Organisation (WTO) boss, Madam Okonjo Iweala is one the most respected Nigerians across the globe. She was named one of the most powerful women in the world by Forbes on December 8. According to Forbes, “The World Trade Organization head Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (No. 91 of 100) continues to play a crucial role in providing financial assistance and promoting global trade as the threat of a global recession rises.”Also, the African Leadership Magazine (ALM) announced that Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), was voted as the “African female leader of the year” on the 7th of December. Recall that Okonjo-Iweala was recognized by another media platform, Time magazine as one of the world’s most influential people in 2021. Over and over again, NOI has continued to place Nigeria in a good light on the international stage. Hence, her recognition on this list.
Chimamanda Adichie
Premium Times NGNigerian-American writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, embossed her name in gold on the global stage when she received the W.E.B Du Bois medal at Harvard University in October of this year. The W.E.B Du Bois is the highest honour given by Harvard in the field of African and African American studies. Chimamanda who is known for her elegant storytelling and her advocacy for gender equality joined the list of trailblazers like Muhammad Ali, Maya Angelou, Ava Duvernay, Dave Chappelle, Queen Latifah, Nasir “Nas” Jones, John Lewis, Steven Spielberg, athlete-activist Colin Kaepernick, and others who are past recipients of the medal. For this giant stride, she has earned a place on our list.
Ladi Delano
Afrikan HeroesFounder and CEO of Moove, an African mobility FinTech company with a presence in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and India, Ladi Delano describes himself as a lifelong entrepreneur who has been building businesses in emerging markets across Asia and Africa for over 15 years. Named one of the 10 Young Africans to Watch by Forbes Africa, Ladi has earned a spot on our list for making Moove one of the most profitable mobility FinTech companies in the world. While the startup ecosystem has been worst hit by the economy this year, this was not so for Ladi and his team at Moove. In 2022, the platform raised more than $135 million and expanded its operation to India. Moove Africa’s employee growth rate within the time frame has increased by 176% and the estimated annual revenue is currently $152.5 million per year.Register to attend the CN Business Mixer
Joy Ezeilo
El PeriodicoJoy Ngozi Ezeilo is a leading authority in the field of international human rights Emeritus Dean of Law at the University of Nigeria and former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons.As founding director of the Women Aid Collective (WACOL), Ezeilo has provided free legal aid and shelter to at least 60,000 vulnerable women in Nigeria within the last 25 years. She also founded the Tamar Sexual Assault Referral Centre, through which she provides a rapid response to victims and survivors of abuse.She was listed as BBC’s 2022 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world, joining global music phenomenon, Billie Eilish and actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas.
Oseni Rufai
Premium Times NG
Rufai Oseni, Arise TV’s Morning Show co-anchor, is popularly known for his vociferousness and interrogative questions towards his guests. He has been interpreted and misinterpreted by many, especially among those who consider him too vocal and aggressive towards political officeholders of the ruling party. However, what we can’t take away from Rufai are his passion and zeal for holding office leaders accountable using his platform. Also, one can’t deny that he has been a huge contributor to the rise of viewership of Arise TV due to his style.
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